Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Arsenal and
Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday April 8, 2012.

Mario Balotelli wore gloves but he left his fingerprints all over the scene of the crime in north London, the scene surely of Manchester City’s surrender to Manchester United in the race for the Premier League. Balotelli was petulant, irresponsible, reckless in four of his challenges and eventually, belatedly, deservedly dismissed, having just succumbed to Mikel Arteta's fine strike City had no chance to rally.

City are now eight points behind United with six games remaining, facing the embarrassment of their neighbours turning up at the Etihad on April 30 with the title already secured. Balotelli will probably be banned for United’s visit. “Why always him?” City fans could reflect of Balotelli. “And why always them?” they could add of United. Simple.

United boast a unity that City have yet to acquire and are unlikely to with moody Blues like Balotelli around.

Arsenal’s manager, Arsène Wenger, applied an old French footballing aphorism when reflecting on whether City could now catch United, venturing that when the “horse smells the stable” it accelerates over the final furlong. This is not one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s thoroughbred sides but they have timed their run superbly towards the line, towards a 20th visit to the league winners’ enclosure.

City certainly had a crazy horse, the not-so-super Mario. His manager, Roberto Mancini, has proved too lenient with his favourite footballing son this season, sparing the rod and spoiling the child. Balotelli was so foolish here, clattering into opponents, and he would surely have been dismissed for an ugly studs-up challenge on Alex Song had Martin Atkinson’s view not been obscured. Balotelli then caught Bacara Sagna three times, earning cautions for the first and third and departing.

The Italian was apparently wearing a vest emblazoned with the logo “YOLO”, meaning “You Only Live Once”, from The Motto by rapper Drake featuring Lil’ Wayne (not Rooney). He may not get a second chance from Mancini, who risks his No 45 becoming a P45 for him.

Mancini is a good manager, who argued cogently afterwards that City are developing year on year under him, rising up the table, but he does not need liabilities like Balotelli. Comparisons will inevitably be made with Faustino Asprilla and Newcastle United, but the Colombian mainly affected Kevin Keegan’s 1995-1996 failed title-chasers tactically, not temperamentally.

Balotelli can be terrific, and his immense performances helped City win the FA Cup last year, but he threatens to be a very divisive influence in the City dressing room; the cameras lingered long on the frustration flitting across the faces of Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott following Balotelli’s assorted aberrations.

The temptation to heap all the blame on Balotelli’s young shoulders must be avoided. Others were partly culpable. Managers set the tone and Mancini’s tempo here was more catenaccio than allegro. City appeared more focused on not losing than going all out for victory.

Samir Nasri was poor, forgetting the adage of reminding former employers what they were missing. Arsenal fans’ taunting turned to gloating when the Frenchman was replaced. Sergio Agüero was not the persistent, predatory force of earlier in the season. David Silva was absent, nursing a slight knock to the knee but the Spaniard has also faded as the conquistador of the autumn.

Some emerged from a crowing Emirates with reputations intact. Hart, Lescott and particularly Vincent Kompany worked overtime in resisting the waves of Arsenal pressure, and could do little with Arteta’s fine strike.

For all the criticism launched at Balotelli and City, and the glasses of schadenfreude being raised merrily by those with more modest budgets, Mancini’s side also lost because Arsenal were hungrier, sharper, just better in design and deed. Gone are the ghosts of January. Tomas Rosicky was a force, flowing here and there. Arteta, in particular, played the elegant conductor from deep midfield, dictating the tempo.

Inspired by Arteta, Arsenal started strongly, their momentum assisted when Yaya Touré limped away, having taken a bang on the knee when fouled by Song. As the Ivorian was heading down the tunnel, Robin van Persie was heading goalwards, his effort stopped from crossing the line only by Thomas Vermaelen.

Interviewed by Sky beforehand, Van Persie had indicated his favourite position lay between a string-pulling No 10 and line-leading No 9, a “9½”. His versatility in the deep was then seen as he glided effortlessly past Gaël Clichy.

Balotelli was beginning his walk on the wild side. His challenge on Song could have broken the Arsenal midfielder’s leg. He apologised but showed little other contrition or a willingness to learn from his mistake. Deployed wide left, Balotelli did briefly menace legitimately, his flicked shot scrambled clear by Theo Walcott and Van Persie. Balotelli then ran on to a through-ball from Touré’s replacement, David Pizarro, but Wojciech Szczesny read the danger.

Balotelli was then booked, for catching Sagna. Atkinson was at last on the case. City were beginning to unravel. They had brief moments of hope as the second half unfolded, Agüero going close with a header while Pizarro continued to deliver the occasional raking pass. One storming Pablo Zabaleta run was curtailed only by an immaculately judged tackle by Yossi Benayoun.

Arsenal soon started turning the screw. Van Persie headed Song’s excellent cross against a post. The Dutchman was then, rightly, judged offside before placing the ball past Hart. The siege was intensifying. Mancini’s assistant, David Platt, urged his players to push up. Walcott was denied. Vermaelen wasted a glorious chance.

The nerves bit deep. Wenger sat in the dugout, twisting an elastic band around his fingers like makeshift worry beads. Then with three minutes remaining, Gareth Barry’s clearance was too quick for Pizarro, who failed to control the ball and Arteta swooped.

He nudged the ball forward and his aim was true, his 20-yarder beating Hart’s despairing dive. Then Balotelli finally walked. Amid the sounds of Arsenal celebration at strengthening their grip on third could be heard a noise 200 miles away at Old Trafford, of a lady with weight issues clearing her throat.